Christmas 2023: The UK’s original festive light trail returns to Kew Gardens in London

The world-famous botanic gardens in London - Kew Gardens - is relaunching "the UK's original feature light trail" this Christmas by showcasing seasonal favourites alongside eight never-before-seen immersive installations, and for the first time, featuring with Brand Partner John Lewis.

New displays include 3m high illuminated flowers, cascading lights suspended from the tree canopy and one of the longest light tunnels to ever feature at Christmas at Kew (15 November 2023 – 7 January 2024.)

Palm House light show at the 10th Christmas at Kew
(c) Raymond Gubbay Ltd, Richard Haughton

Highlights include the iconic Palm House light show where visitors can enjoy a series of light displays -  LED lights ‘float’ and dance on the surface of the adjacent lake.

Since the inaugural Christmas at Kew trail in 2013, this festive event has enchanted visitors with a unique seasonal experience.  This year’s trail is a celebration of nature by night, bringing Kew’s incredible natural architecture to life. 

This Christmas, Kew is asking visitors to do One Small Thing. Illuminated illustrations inspired by the natural world will combine with evocative messaging, encouraging visitors to make a small change and help protect the environment. This mirrors Kew’s mission, to understand and protect plants and fungi for the wellbeing of people and the future of all life on Earth. Since the first festive trail in 2013, the Christmas at Kew team have been looking at ways to deliver a more sustainable light trail, and their 2022 trail used 50% less power than in 2021.

For the first time, Kew’s iconic contemporary art installation, The Hive, will feature in the light trail. At a towering 17 metres tall, The Hive is a striking multi-sensory installation that connects to a real bee colony living at Kew, expressing its life in light and sound created by U.K based artist Wolfgang Buttress. This Christmas, over 1000 LED lights will glow and respond to a new rhythm triggered by a bespoke soundscape.

Lili by TILT

Elsewhere, Lili by TILT, a series of abstract, illuminated flowers that stand at almost 3 metres tall, towering over visitors, makes its UK debut. ArtAV return with Trapezoid, one of the longest light tunnels to ever feature at Christmas at Kew. Along Camellia Walk visitors will wander beneath over 400 colourful cascading lights suspended from the tree canopy, all set against an assortment of neon backdrops.

Moonlight Flowers by OGE Group

Creative studio Pitaya return to Kew with Spark Ballet, 24 lanterns filled with subtly sparkling lights that appear to ‘dance’, and Candles. This brand-new commission sees one hundred candles suspended in the air, magically appearing to float above visitors’ heads. The flickering flames will illuminate tree-lined passageways to create an enchanting festive atmosphere.

With many of Kew’s 12,000 trees and other botanical treasures being accentuated along the route, visitors can wander beneath colourful canopies and bushes draped in seasonal sparkle, experiencing nature from a new perspective whilst treasuring the essential role that plants play in all our lives.

Christmas Cathedral (c) RBG Kew, Jeff Eden

Other returning favourites include Kew’s famous Christmas Cathedral, a twinkling tunnel of light inspired by arched church windows, and a newly designed Fire Garden where more than 300 candles line the path to the Temperate House, the oldest Victorian glasshouse in the world, as flame bulbs create the illusion that this cathedral of glass is glowing from within. 

To add on the experience at Kew, visitors can book a traditional Christmas dinner at The Botanical Brasserie and  Kids favourites can be found at the Family Kitchen & Shop, plus there is a selection of treats from independent street food vendors also available along the route. 

Sandra Botterell, Director of Marketing and Commercial Enterprise at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, said: ‘Christmas at Kew is a magical celebration of Kew’s natural landscape, offering sparkle and festivities during the winter months. With an incredible range of brand-new installations and some returning favourites, this year’s trail is guaranteed to be a seasonal spectacle like no other.’

Rosie Hanley, Director of Marketing at John Lewis, said: 'John Lewis is delighted to be part of this iconic trail which over the years has become a new Christmas tradition for many to enjoy together. As the only brand partner to have ever been integrated into Christmas at Kew, we are excited to unveil our installation for all visitors to enjoy.'

Meanwhile at Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, Glow Wild celebrates a milestone 10 years. Bringing festive magic and wonder to the South East with 10 new installations and myriad hand-crafted lanterns, this winter lantern trail is not to be missed.

Tickets for Christmas at Kew and Glow Wild are available to purchase at: www.kew.org